Château de Beaucastel

Presentation

The vintage

An exceptional vintage.
A very hot summer, but great weather conditions until the end of the harvest.

Description

Château de Beaucastel has long been considered one of the great wines of France. It is unanimously renowned for its balance, elegance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an extraordinary terroir at the Northern end of the appellation with heavy exposure to the Mistral. All 13 varieties of the appellation have been organically grown here since the sixties.

Situation

Châteauneuf du Pape, between Orange and Avignon, Château de Beaucastel red is a 70-hectare vineyard.

Terroir

Château de Beaucastel is 110 hectares, with one single plot at the north of the appellation. The terroir is archetypal of the best terroirs in Châteauneuf: rolled pebbles on the surface, sand, clay and limestone deeper down. The vines are old and have been organically grown for 50 years, which has allowed the roots to grow exceptionally deep.
Beaucastel grows all thirteen grape varieties authorised by the appellation.

Process

Each variety is harvested manually and separately. Vinification is completed in truncated oak barrels for the reductive grapes (Mourvèdre and Syrah) and in traditional tiled cement tanks for the oxidative grapes (such as Grenache). After the malolactic fermentations, the family blends the different varieties and then the wine ages in oak Foudres for a year before being bottled.

Tasting advices

Tasting notes

Colour: dark and deep ruby with purple undertones.
Nose: very rich in ripe black fruit, cherry, fig and slightly smoky.
Mouth: round and powerful, great balance between the tannins and the body, with notes of red fruit.
Good ageing potential

Serving tips

15°C and if possible decant before serving.

Reviews and Awards

"This vintage is a true example of balance: expressive and complex, a bouquet of many different fruit. This vintage has remained young and fresh. The tannins are silky and fine.
This wine is very suitable for a drinking now but can also be kept for several years, with a very good ageing potential."

Famille Perrin - 01/10/2017

"The 2000 vintage is still a young wine of rare quality, flawless! The nose is very fresh, with notes of chocolate. The mouth is round and reveals ripe fruit, soft tannins and good length."

Famille Perrin - 21/09/2016

****

"Imported by Vineyard Brands. 13.5 % Alcohol. The nose bore brighter fruit aromas. Initially the wine was a bit tight with a ripe fruit core, plenty of power, and a fresh structure that gripped the teeth. With extended air the brighter red fruit made way to a young and strong midpalate that was coated with fat. The Becausteal funk surrounded lovely blue fruit towards the finish. **** 2020-2035." [+]

"This vintage has all the characteristics of a hot vintage. Warm and powerful, this wine is still young and will benefit from a few more years ageing. "

Château de Beaucastel vertical tasting - Famille Perrin - 03/12/2013

97/100

"Absolutely firing on all cylinders and with an open, borderline slutty profile, the 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a dream on the nose, showing complex, meaty aromas of black truffle, spice rack, charcuterie, and garrigue. There‟s fantastic intensity here and you can smell this wine as soon as the bottle is opened. Just as good on the palate, the wine sports a medium to full-bodied, ripe profile, perfect balance, and a dazzling finish that has you looking for another glass. I‟m a fan and while this will no doubt continue to shine, don‟t hesitate to pop bottles now"

The Rhone Report, Jeb Dunnuck - 09/11/2011

94/100

"Deep garnet colour with a faint touch of brick in the rim. Classic Beaucastel earthy/meaty/gamey nose with an undercurrent of stewed strawberries, Chinese dried plums and soy. Quite elegant on the palate with a medium to full body and a reasonably taut structure of medium to high acidity and a medium level of velvety tannins. Layer upon layer of spices and savoury flavours. Long finish. Drink now to 2024."

Wine Advocate - 01/11/2009

90/100

"Clean and fresh, bursting with fruit and spices. Full-bodied, it delivers some game, truffle, vanilla notes. It's distinctive and ought to reveal wonderful terroir with age, but for now it hasn't come together. Needs time. Drink now through 2020. 16,665 cases made."